Snowed under: Meg�ve, the grande dame of French Alpine ski resorts, exudes an old-fashioned charm that is vastly different from many of the purpose-built towns

Disaster? Meg�ve was a triumph

The early signs weren't good for Tristan Davies and his family on a skiing holiday in France

Local dancers in their plastic grass skirts

Fantasy islands: Joanne Harris heads to Hawaii

Novelist Joanne Harris had always longed to visit Hawaii – but would the reality live up to her childhood dreams?

It's all go in the rainforests of Dominica

This Caribbean island isn't about the beach, its lush interior is the main attraction. Nick Boulos reports

The Complete Guide To: Byzantium

Be inspired by the treasures in the Royal Academy show, and visit the surviving wonders of this extraordinary empire in situ, from Istanbul to Skopje, Sinai to Ravenna.

Shop of ages: Faneuil Hall marketplace typifies the city's blend of history and modernity

City Slicker: Why Boston is best for shopping

Still fancy a trip across the Atlantic to do your Christmas present buying? Try the booming retail scene in this east-coast city and enjoy its sights, old and new, says Kate Simon

Puglia is a food-lover's paradise

When Alex James fancied learning more about Italian cuisine, he headed off to Puglia – and soon realised that he'd landed in a food-lover's paradise

Don't panic! We can go skiing and save the planet

Natalie Holmes explains how to visit the Alps and stay green

Around the world in 80 clicks

Exploring the Forbidden City, the White House, or even ancient Rome is easy – thanks to the internet. But, asks Clare Rudebeck, can virtual tourism ever replace the real thing?